Bottle-crowning machine



H. J. CHILTON.

BOTTLE CROWNING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 30. |917.

1,321,645. Patented Dec. 9,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

H. J. CHILTON.

BOTTLE CROWNING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. so. 1911.

1,324,645. v Patented Dee; 9,1919.

2 sHEETssHEET 2.

HENRY J'. CHILTON, GF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS.

BOTTLE-CROWNING- MACHINE.

Specioation of Letters Patent.

:.Date'ntad Deo. 9, 1919.

Application led -November 30, 1917. Serial No. 26S-,5%.

To all whom z't may concern."

Be it known that I, HENRY J: CHILTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oak P ark, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bottle-Crowning Mayielding relation between the crowning mechanismand the bottles, or vice versa, may be obtained, during the continuous o eration of the machine, to avoid the brea ing or injury of the fragile receptacles or bottles.

,Atthe same time it is essential to employ mechanism of such character and operation, that constant pressure will be exerted during the crowning operation regardless of variations in the sizes of the bottles or receptacles.

The object of my invention is to provide means which will control the crowning mechanism so as to keep a constant pressure on the crowns or caps during the crowning operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for properly centering and guiding the bottles in conjunction with the crowning mechanism, which, at the same time, will provide a clear unobstructed tabletop, and will enable the table-top being kept clean during the operation of the machine and thus eliminate the possibility of an interference with the proper operation oi7 the machine.

The purpose of my invention is to produce a machine embodying means, adapted to provide the operations and results hereinbefore mentioned, which will be simple in construction and operation, and at the same time `capable of automatic operation, at a desirable speed; the objects and advanta es of the invention being readil compiehen ed from the following detailed7 description of the drawings, wherein c Figure 1 is .a sectional elevation of my improved machine. I Fi 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the 1 1ne 2.-2 of Fig. 1, looking downwardly. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the luie 31,-3 of Fig. 1, looking upwardly.

Fig. 4 1s a detail, in perspective, of the pressure controllino mechanism.

As an exemplification of my invention, the improved elements or means, capable of operations'adapted to produce the effects or results hereinbefore enumerated, are shown applied to a well known type of crown or cap-applying machine provided with the usual vertical stationary post 15, which is provided with a shoulder at 16 to afford suitable support for the rotating carrier or turret 17. Suitable antifriction material interposing the lower end of the turret and the shoulder 16, is shown at 18, in order to provide a proper antifriction bearing. The lower end of the turret or carrier 17 is provided with a downwardly presented annular gear 19, maintained in proper relation with the turret by means of a set-screw 20. The annular gear 19 meshes with a bevel- 'gear 21 secured to the end of a power-shaft mounted in the bearing block 22; the opposite end of the power-shaft being provided with a pulley 23 to receive a suitable belt for imparting ower thereto.

Concentrical y arranged with the post 15, and suitably secured on the turret 17, is a sleeve-member 24 which is threaded exteriorly to enable proper adjustment of the elements mounted thereon. The sleeve-member 24: is adapted to support a suitable frame or carrier 25, which is provided with a plurality of crown or cap-applying elements shown at 26 corresponding in number with the number of bottles or receptacles adapted to be held by the centering or positioning means later to be described and mounted above the turret. The frame or carrier 25 has mounted thereon an annular gear 27 having an elongated hub portion so as to bring it up into mesh with a bevel-gear 28 which is suitably mounted on the depending stem-portion of a hopper or crown-holding receptacle 29. The stub-shaft on which bevel-gear 28 is mounted is also provided with a gear 30 meshing with a gear 31 whereby proper operation or movement is imparted to the crown or cap-feeding mechanism located in the end 32 of the hopper; the mechanism inducing the crowns or caps to be fed into the chute or guide-way 33, whereby the crowns or caps are progressively fed into the heads 34 of the cap-applying elements 26.

As the elements thus far described are of a well known construction, further specific description thereof need not be entered into, except in so far as the lower ends or vheadportions 34 of the cap-applying elements 26 are concerned. -With t e elements 26 arranged to rotate with the table and with the simple type of crowning elements shown, it

1 is necessary to arrange the heads in juxtaposition so that at no time will there be' a hiatus at the orifice of the chute or guideway 33, which would permit the crowns or caps to discharge onto the table to be wasted and at the same time undoubtedly empty the hopper or crownholding receptacle 29.

In order to obviate the dithculty described, I show the head-portions 34 of the elements 26 enlarged and .in the nature of sectoral blocks arranged in juxtaposition, adapted to permit independent vertical movement of each element, while at the same time constantly provide a closure for the end of the chute or guide-way 33, except for the crown-receiving groove in the heads 34; that is a segmental groove in each head which registers with the grooves in adjacent heads, l

as shown in dotted lines in F ig. 3; the groove in each head fbeing inwardly recessed, as shown, to communicate with the vertical slide-way for the pressure-applying plunger in each element-see Fig. 3.

The crown-applying elements are reciprocatingly mounted and yieldingly maintained in their normal or raised positions by means of the coil-springs 35, as shown to the left in Fig. l. The crown-applying elements 26 are each provided at their upper ends with suitable antifriction member or roller 36 which are adapted to come into contact with or be engaged b the operating mechanism or pressure-app ying means which comprises my invention.

This means, in the specific construction illustrated, consists of a yoke member 37, shown in detail in Fig. 4, which is oscillatngly mounted by means of trunnions in suitable 'brackets or plates shown at 38, 38 in Fig. 2, and in dotted lines in Fig. l; the brackets or plates may be in the nature of lobes formed integral with and depend from the lower end of the non-rotating hopper or receptacle 29. rlhe member 37 is preferably shown in the form of a yoke so as to straddle the hub of gear 27 and provide a firm bearing for the member 37. The under side of member 37 is provided with a cam-surface 39,-see Fig. 4, arranged in alinement with the center of travel of the cap-applying elements. The outer end of the cam-yoke 37 is pivotally connected to ya sleeve 40 adjustably secured on the threaded end of an upwardly disposed rod 4l. The lower end of the rod .41 is pivotally secured to an arm 42 which, 1n turn, is pivotally secured to the casing 43 surrounding the turret and which supports the ledge or table 43a. The table, 1n the particular exemplification shown, is provided with a suitable aperture for the passage of the rod 4l. The arm 42 is adapted to carry a suitable weight or weights which are preferably shown in the form of disks 44, maintained in place, for example, by means of the nuts 45, 45 which screw onto the threaded end of the arm 42. The method illustrated enables the weight on the arm to be regulated by increasing or decreasing the` number of disks to provide suiiicient weight or pressure for the proper operation of .the crown or cap-applying elements against the, action of their respective springs 35.

Jllhe sleeve-member 24, at a point slightly above the point where it is secured to the turret 17, is provided with a bottle-centering element 46. rlhis centering means is preferably shown in the nature of a double star-wheel construction or hub-member pro- 100 vided with radially disposed lingers or spokes, with the intervening spaces or sockets of proper depth to receive a bottle or receptacle and to center the necks thereof with the apertures 47 in the heads 34 of the 105 crown applying elements 26. The centering' element 46 is secured to sleeve 24 in any suitable manner, as for example by setscrew 48, so as to induce'the element 46 to rotate with the sleeve and therefore also 110 with the crown-applying elements mounted in the carrier 25.

lThe bottles are fed into the star-wheel or between the projecting fingers 46 in any suitable manner and at a point in advance, 115 (relative to the rotation of the machine) of my improved pressure-applying mechan ism, and as the machine continues operat1on, the crown-applying elements are progressively brought beneath the pressure-ap- 120 plying means, to-wit the cam-yoke 37 thereby causing the rollers 36 of the cap-applying plungers to ride along the under side of the cam-suriace 39. With the cam-yoke etV yheld downwardly through the action of the 125 greater length having beenfed to the ma-K chine, whereb the downward movement of the cap-a plyin plunger would be arrested or limlte brea a e or injury of the bottle a constant pressure on the' caps or crowns regardless of any variations in the size or length of the bottles.

In order to maintain the ing cam-yoke 37 in proper r in other words, to Aprevent itv droppin down too f ar when the crown-applying e ement has been rotated beyond the action of the cam 39, I rovide a limitin member or strap 49, which may bein t e nature of an angle-iron bent into U-shape or any other suitable shape, with the ends thereof bolted or otherwise secured to the sides of the hopper or receptacle 29. The up er surface of the member 49 is provided with a cushioning member or element 50 composed of rubber or other suitable material, to receive the impact of the dropping yoke.

With my improved bottle centering element 46, and im roved manner of applypressure-applye ing pressure to t e crown or cap-applyingv elements, I am enabled to obtain a smooth, imperforate and unobstructed table or turret-top free from any protruding and vertically movable surfaces, thus enabling -the top of the rotating table or turret to be kept cleanand clear of any lobstruction during operation ofthe machine.

The elements, which havenot been specicallydescribed, are of a well known construction and operate in the usual manner and form no part of my invention; and the specific construction of the invention herein illustrated may be modified in certain respects without, however,'departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is 1. A machine of the class described, comprising a rotatable table, a crown-holding receptacle provided with a avity feed crown guide-way or chute, an a plurality of crown-applying elements adapted to rotate in unison with saidI table and to be' moved toward' the receptacle to be capped,

the lower ends o f said elements terminatingin enlarged head portions, with the outer erimeters of the head portlons of the diferent elements arranged in juxtaposition with each other and with the end of said ative positlon,

tate in.unison with said table, the lower ends of said elements terminatin vin en- .1

larged' sectoral heads, the heads. o Athe different elements being arranged in 'abutting i relation with one another and with the en of said chute, and bein movable relative to each other, said hea s being each pro l;

vided with a'segmental groove, for the 12e-4 eption of.a single crown, terminating in an inwardly disposed recess for the passage of a crown.

3. A machine of the class described, comprising a rotatable table, a crown-holding receptacle rovided with a gravit crown gui e-way or chute, a plura ity .of

crown-applying elements adapted to rotate in unison with said table, thev lower ends of,-

said elements terminating in enlarged head portionswhose outer perimeters are arranged in abutting relation with one anotherv and with the end of said chute so as to prevent the improper vdischarge of crowns therefrom, and yieldingly mounted pressureapplying means secured against rotation and having a portion thereof disposed in the path -of said elements, said means being adapted to force said elements downwardly into crowning engagement with the' receptacle to be crowned.

,- 4. In a capping machine, the combination of capping devices and a cap feeding-device arranged to feed caps tothe capping devices, said capping 'devices being mounted to-rotate and reciprocate from crown receiving to crown applying position, a member having means which is stationary with respect to said member for operating thev cappers to apply a cap to a receptacle, said member being yieldable and having an adjustable element acting to move said member and said means toward the cap ers, said means permitting said cappersto e passed beyond the same to permit said cappers to reciprocate to their cap receiving position when rotated beyond the yieldable member having said means.

5. In a capping machine the combination of cappingv devices and a cap feeding device arranged to feed caps to the capping devices, said capping devices being mounted to rotate and reciprocate from crown receiving to crown applying osition, and a member having meansv whiclh is stationary with respect to said member for operating the cappers to apply a cap toa receptacle, said member being yieldable and having a weight, said member and said means permitting the cappers to pass beyond said yieldable member and said means to permit said cappers to move to their cap receiving position when rotated beyond the yieldable member having said means.

6. In a capping machine the combination of a plurality of cap ing devices mounted to be rotated and reclprocated from crown llQ receivin to crown applying position, means for fee ing a cap-to the cappers and a pivoted member having means which is movable With the pivoted member for operating the ca pers to apply a cap to a receptacle, sai member and said means providing means to operate the cappers to apply a cap-When rotated to capapplylng p osition, said member and said means permitting the cappers to reciprocate to crown receiving position when rotated beyond said pivoted member having said means.

7 ln a capping machine the combination of a plurality of capping devices mounted to be rotated and reoiprocated from. 'crown receiving to crown applying position, a yieldable member having means movable With the yieldable memberfor operating the cappers to apply a cap toa receptacle, ,said member and said means providing the means to operate the cappers to apply a cap when rotated to cap applying position, said member and said means permitting the cappers to reciprocate to crown receiving position when rotated beyond said member having said means.

8. 1n a capping device the combination of a plurality of cap applying devices arranged to rotate and reciprocate from cap receiv-y ing to cap applying position, means for `feeding a cap to the capping devices, and yieldable means having means movable with the yieldable means for actuating the cappers to apply a cap, said yieldable means having said means providing the means to actuate the cap applying means and said yieldable means being arranged to permit the cappers to pass the same after a cap has been appliedv to allow said cappers to reciprocate to their cap receiving position, and means for limiting the movement of said cappers 4when moved to said last named position.

9. In a capping device the combination of a plurality of cap applying devices arranged to rotate and reciprocate from cap receiving to cap applying position, means for feeding a cap to the capping devices and means having a cam which is stationary With respect to said means for actuating the cappers and to apply a cap, said first mentioned means and the cam providing the means to actuate the cap applying means, and being arranged to permit the cappers' to pass said means after a cap has been applied to allovv the cappers to reciprocate. to their cap receiving position, and means for limiting` to the capping devices, means operably con! nected with said means for rotating the capmenace ping devices, and yieldably mounted means having means which is stationary With respect to said last mentioned meansfor actuating the cappingdevices, said last mentioned means permitting the capping devices to move into position to` receive a cap from the cap feeding means when rotated beyond the yieldable means.

11. In 4a cappingl machine the combination of a hopper, a stationary shaft upon which thev hopper is mounted, a plurality of capping. devicesconstructed to rotate about said shaft, and means for actuating \the cappers, said means being yieldable and carried by the hopper, and carrying means,

l which is stationary with respect to the yieldable means for actuating the cappers to apply a ca'p, said yieldable means and the means which it carries permitting the cappers to reciprocateto cap receiving' position when rotated beyond the yieldable means and the means which it carries.

l2. In a capping machine the combination of a capping device mounted to rotate and reciprocate from crown receiving to crown applying position, a cap feeding device arranged to feed caps to the capping 'device during the rotation of the capping device, a yieldable member having means movable therewith for operating the capper to apply a cap to a receptacle, said means permitting the capper to be passed beyond the same afteracap has been applied, and the member which carries the means permitting the capper to be moved beyond it to 'allow the capper to reciprocate to its cap receiving position.

13. 1n a capping machine the combinatio of la capping device, means for feeding caps to the capping device and means for actuating the capping device, said capping device being mounted to rotate from the cap feeding device to the means for actuating the capping device, the capping device being also mounted to reciprocate when actuated by the means for-actuating the same, means for restoring the capping device to ycap receiving position when moved beyond the means for actuating the capping device, Vthe means for actuating the capping device including a yieldably mounted member having means stationarily mounted With respect to said member, and means for moving said member toward the capping devices.

14. ln a capping machine the combination of capping. devices and cap feeding means arranged to feed caps to the capping devices, means provided to actuate the capping devices, said capping devices being mounted to rotate from the feeding device to capping position, yieldable means having a Weight to actuate the cappers, said cappers being mounted to reciprocate to apply a cap when actuated by the yieldable means having the Weight and to return to cap receiving posi- -tion when moved beyond the yieldable means, said cappers having means to receive Y prising a crown holding receptacle having a crown guideway or chute, and a plurality of -crown apply-ing elements arranged to be moved toward the receptacle' to be capped, one end ofsaid crownapplying elements having portions whichare arranged in vjuxtaposition with each other and having means vel are successively moved into alinement with the cap' feeding device, said first mentioned means and vthe means .which extends from one to the other for controlling the feeding of saidcaps registering with each other, the means for actuating the capping velements causing the capping elements tol be successively moved vout of registration with each other, -and the-last vmentioned-means permitting saidcappers to be again movedv into v registration the cappers arr ed' between the actuatlng means-and capv eedin means after sald 'cappers have' been vmove to receive acrown and to1 preventythe im\`. beyond the meansifor actuating the cappers.

proper discharge of the crownsfrom `the chute. i 1 16. In a ca ping machine .the combination of capping evicesv and cap feeding means arranged to feed ca s tothe capping devices, means provide to actuate the capping" devices, said cappingdevices being mounted to rotate from the cap feeding-device to the means for actuating the capping devices, each capping devicehaving a portion which,- is movable relatively to a similar portion ,of another' ca ping device into which caps are fed from t ecap feeding means and. having means which closes the cap feeding means to prevent a cap vfrom being improperly discharged from the feeding means duri ing rotation.

v of a cap feeding device, a plurality of'ca sa Y " of a cap feeding device, a plurality of cap- 17. In a capping machine the combination ping elements and means for' actuating t e capping elements, the capplng elements hav ing portions'into which caps are fed when said elements are moved into alincment with the feeding device, and having means movable horizontally and transversely with relation tothe feeding device, said means preventing the feedingof caps when other capping elements are move beyond the cap feeding device.

18. In a capping machine the combination ofa cap feeding device, a plurality of ca ping elements and means for actuating t e4 capping elements, said capping elements -being movable to successively receive a cap from the feeding means, and said capping elements having vertically movable means extending from one to the other for controlling the feeding of said caps, as the capping elements are successively moved into alinementv with the cap feeding device.

19. In a capping machine the combination ping elements having means to receive a cap Y from the cap feeding means, and means for actuating the capping elements, said capping elements being movable to successively receive a cap from the feeding means and said capping elements having means extending from one to the other for controlling the feeding of said caps as the capping elements of t-cap,r ing devicesv andv cap feeding means arranged Ito feed caps to the capping devices,

means provided to actu-ate the capping de 4vices, said" cap ing devices being mounted to move from t e. cap feeding device tothe meansffor actuatin the cappin devices,

/lca'ch ,capping device aving a portion which 1s mova t lef relatively to asimilar portion of v.another vcapping device jinto whichl caps arel fed from the cap feeding means and having means which closes the cap .feeding means to prevents cap .from being 1mprop erly discharged from `theiieeding means.

21'. In a cappingmachme the combination means for actuatin the capping devices, the capping devices Vlees having means into-which capsare fed andretamed as' same are fed from the feeding means, and hay-ing means for -preventf mg the lmproper dlscharge of'caps from the of la .plurality of capping devices, means for feeding caps to the capping devices, and

ing movablel from the 'cap -feeding device to the means for actuatfA 'lng the lcapplng devices, said capping de- 22.- In a capping machine the combination A of capping evices andv cap feeding means arranged'to feed caps to the capping'devices, means for actuating the capping devices, the capping devices being movable from capl receiving to cap applying position and mova' ble to apply a cap,l each of said capping devices having means which are movable with the capping devices for receiving a cap and means for preventing vthe improper d ischarge of the caps from the feeding means when a cap is applied, the means for receivmg a cap including -a recess and the last mentloned means including a groovewhich coperates with the cap feeding means.

23. In a capping machine the combination l of a cap feeding device, a plurality of capcapping devices the capping devices ing movable from cap feeding device to the means for actuating the capping devices,

Iping devices and' means for actuating the .said capping devices having means into and means for actuatin which caps are fed from the means and to prevent a cap from being improperly the feeding means, said means ofA one capper being normally in alinement with similar means of the other cappers and being movable out of alinement therewith when actuated by the means for actuating the same.

25. In a capping machine the combination of a plurality of cappers, cap feeding means and means for actuating the cappers, each of said cappers having means for receiving a cap and controlling the feeding of caps from thefeeding means, said means of each capper including a groove which registers with the groove of other cappers, and which is movable out of alinement therewith when actuated by the means for actuating' the same.

26. In' a capping machine the combination of a plurality of cappers, cap feeding means and means for actuating the cappers, each of said cappers having means movable with. the cappers for receiving a cap and controlling the feeding of caps from the feeding means, the means for controlling the feeding of caps normally registering with similar means of other cappers and being movable out of alinement therewith when actuated by the means for actuating the cappers.

27. In a capping machine the combination of a plurality of cappers, cap feeding means and means for actuating the cappers to apply a cap, each of said cappers having means movable with the cappers When actuated to apply a cap for controlling the feeding of caps from the feeding means said controlling means of one capper normally registering With similar means of other cappers and providing a continuous closure for the cap feeding means Which is permitted to intermittently feed caps to the cappers.

28. In a capping machine the combination of a plurality of cappers, cap feeding means and means for actuating the cappers, each of said cappers having means movable With the cappers when actuated to applya cap for controlling the feeding of caps from the feeding means, said controlling means including means for intermittently permitting a cap to be fed to the cappers and preventing the feeding of caps when the cappers are moved into cap receiving position, said means consisting of a groove controlling the feeding means, and a recess into which the menace caps are deposited, said groove being continuous and onl broken when one of the cappers is move to apply a cap.

29. Ina capping machine the combination of a plurality of cappers, cap feeding means,

means for actuatingthe cappers to receive a cap, and meansto actuate the cappe'rs to apply a cap, each of said cappers having means movable with the cappers when actuated by the capper actuating means for controlling vthe feeding of caps from thefeed-V ing means, said controlling means including.

means for intermittently permitting a cap to be fed to the cappers and preventing the feeding of. caps when the cappers are moved into cap receiving position.

30. In a capping machine the combination of a plurality of cappers, cap feeding means, and means for actuating the cappers to apply a cap, each of said cappers having a groove and a recess, the groove of one capper alining With the groove of another capper and forming a continuous groove from one capper to the next, said groove coperating With the feeding means to prevent the improper feeding of caps therefrom, said cappers being movable to intermittently feed caps into the recesses of each capper and the portion of the capper having the groove and .recess being movable With the capper when same is actuated by the means for actuating the cap applying means.

31. In a capping machine the combination of a plurality of cappers, cap feeding means and means for actuating the cappers to apply a cap, each of said cappers having a groove and a recess, the groove of one capper alining with the groove of another capper, and forming a continuous groove from one capper to the next, said groove cooperating With the feeding means to prevent the improper feeding of caps therefrom, said cappers being movable to intermittently feed caps into the recesses of each capper and the portion of the capper having the groove and recess being movable with the cappers and out of alinement with similar portions of other cappers When the same is actuated by the means for actuating the cap applying means, and said portions being movable to permit same to move into alinement when releasedby the means for actuating the cappers.

32. In a capping machine the combination of a capping device, cap feeding means and means for actuating the capper, said capper having means for receiving a cap and means for controlling the improper discharge of a cap from the feeding means, said means being movable with the capper When same is actuated and said capper being movable from the feeding means to the means for actuating said capper.

33. In a capping machine the combination frame,

of capping devices and cap feeding means arranged to feed caps to the capping devices, means provided to actuate, the capping devices, said capping devices being mounted to rotate from the cap feeding device to the means for actuating the same, each capping device having a portion which is movable relatively to similar portions of other capping devices into which caps are fed from the cap feeding means and having means to prevent the improper dis-- charge of caps from the feeding means.

3.4. In a capping machine the combination of capping devices, cap feeding means arranged to feed caps to the capping devices and means for actuating the capping devices, said means including a yieldable member' having a member stationarily arranged with respect to the yieldable member, said capping devices being mounted to move from the feeding means to capping position, and said Cappers being arranged to reciprocate to apply a cap When actuated by the means for actuating the cappers and said cappers having means to receive a cap and to prevent the improper discharge of caps from the feeding means.

35. In a capping machine the combination of a rotary frame,.cappers carried by thc means for feeding caps to the cappers and means movable With the frame and relatively thereto for preventing the improper discharge of caps from the feeding means during rotation of the frame.

36. In a capping machine the combination of a movable frame, capping devices and cap feeding means for'feeding caps to the capping devices, and means movable with the frame and relatively thereto for preventing the improper discharge of caps from the feeding means.

37. In a capping machine the combination of a movable frame, capping devices and cap feeding means for successively feeding caps to the capping devices and means movable With the frame and relatively thereto for preventing the improper discharge vof caps from the feeding means.

38. In a capping machine the combination of a movable frame, capping devices and cap feeding means for intermittently feeding caps to the capping devices, the capping devices being movable to successively receive a cap from the feeding means and also movable to apply a cap, and means movable with the frame for preventing the improper discharge of caps from the feeding means.

HENRY J. CHILTON.

Witnesses:

GEORGE HEIDMAN, F. A. FnoRELL. 

